Park Plantation

The woodland at Park Plantation spreads across Leicestershire in a way that proper rewards a wander without demanding much planning. You're looking at dense forestry just outside Barrow upon Soar - the sort of place where you can actually lose the noise of nearby roads if you pick the right path inland. The trees are mixed enough to keep things interesting across the seasons; spring brings bluebells if you time it right, autumn turns everything properly golden.

This works well for families wanting an afternoon in the woods without the crowds you'd hit at a more famous spot. Kids can burn off energy on the various trails, and it's flat enough that you won't spend the whole walk listening to complaints about hills. Serious walkers might find it a bit limited - it's not enormous, and the paths don't really connect to anything dramatic beyond. But if you're based at Hill Top Caravan Park or Ragdale Glamping nearby, it's worth an hour or so of your time, especially if the weather's decent.

Bring proper footwear. The ground gets boggy in patches after rain, and the mud here has a tendency to cling. There's no visitor centre or facilities to speak of, so come prepared. The real value here is in the peace - it's one of those places where you can actually think, and that's rarer than it should be. Free access as far as I can tell, which makes it a no-brainer if you've got time between activities.